Just as Beatrice poured water into the basin with hands that were almost steady, a maid burst into the room. Her eyes widened when she realized it was not unoccupied. They widened even further when she saw Gideon.
She turned a little white when her gaze landed on the blood.
“So sorry, my lady! I didn’t expect—what with the celebration and all.”
“It’s no matter. But, as you can see, Lord Hawkins has had a little accident,” Beatrice said briskly. “Please bring clean linen, a roll of bandage, and some of Mrs. Crabshaw’s salve, if you can find it. And do be discreet, if you don’t mind.”
The maid thankfully gathered her wits quite quickly, bobbing a curtsy with a simple “Yes, my lady,” before she quickly struck a flint to the hearth and rushed out of the room.
When the door closed, the room turned still.
For the first time in weeks, she was alone with Gideon.
In her bedchamber.
With Gideon seated beside the fire, his black coat discarded, his shirtsleeve torn and bloodied, and the bed standing far too prominently behind him.
Beatrice turned briskly toward the basin.
Water. Cloth. Wound.
This was a time to be practical.
But when she stood before him, staring at the ragged tear and crimson stain on his sleeve, she realized the obvious difficulty.
His shirt was going to have to come off.
Gideon seemed to realize it at the same instant.
“Oh,” Beatrice said.
His mouth twitched. “Yes.”
“The sleeve is ruined,” she said, because apparently she had decided to discuss laundry.
“Unfortunately, yes.”
“I cannot clean the wound through linen.”
“No.”
Another silence.
Then Gideon lifted his uninjured hand toward the buttons at his throat, but the motion pulled at his arm and his jaw tightened.
Beatrice stepped forward at once. “Stop that. Let me?—”
“I have undressed myself before.”
“Not while bleeding.”
“On occasion, yes, while bleeding.”
Beatrice rolled her eyes. “Don’t be difficult.”
He lowered his hand with a grimace and gave her a begrudging nod.
Very slowly, Beatrice reached for the first button. When her fingers brushed the warm skin at the base of his throat, they both went still.
